A Man Called Peter

Note Verse 15— “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter.”

Keep the following in mind:

Three times Peter denied Jesus. The first time he pretended not to know Jesus. The second time he denied being a follower of Jesus. The third time, Peter said of Jesus, “I don’t know Him. I don’t know of what you are speaking.”

In today’s text— take note of a conversation between Jesus and Peter. In Verse 15, Jesus said, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” Note the focus is on Peter to whom the question is asked.

Didn’t Jesus know whether or not Peter loved Him? Yes, He knew, but He needed to bring their entire relationship out into the open. What did Jesus mean by this question, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” He may have meant, “Do you love me more than these boats and your fishing?” “Are you willing to give it all up and devote your life to preaching the Gospel?” or “Do you love me more than these others love me?” or “Peter, after all that has happened, after all you denied me thrice, do you think your heart is better than the hearts of these others?”

Peter needed to know that his way had been sinful. He needed to be humble to become a faithful and fruitful servant.

Listen to Peter’s answer in Verses 15-17. “Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you.”, and Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Take care of my sheep. The word “love” here is stronger than the one used before and the word for “feed” means “shepherd my sheep.”

1) Peter was to feed the sheep on the Word.

2) Peter was to nurture, discipline, and develop them.

How does this apply to you and me?

In the church, the newer and weaker Christians are to be fed the Word. As they grow, they are to eat stronger food and develop stronger Christian character.

3) Verse 17

“Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?” Peter grieved. Three times, he is called upon to confess his love for Jesus. Peter was touched to the quick. Now he was deeply filled with sorrow and He had remembered the way he had denied Jesus. “Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.” Lord, I remember how I treated you, and I am deeply sorrowful. Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Peter had been forgiven and restored to a place of usefulness, and that leads us to one final question.

Do you love, Jesus? Oh, yes, I love Him.

You and I cannot possibly love Him without wanting to do something for Him.

Do you love, Jesus? Peter did.